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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

T. HARPER.

MACHINE EOE PoLIsEINe sEEET METAL.

No. 392,799. Patented Nov. 13, 1888.

umm-nn um n umm' n www (No Model.) 2 Sheets--Sheet` 2.

. T. HARPER.

MACHINE EOE POLISEING SHEET METAL. No. 392,799. Patented Nov. 13, 1888.

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THOMAS HARPER, OF BROOKLYN, NEIN YORK.

MACHINE FOR POLISHING SHET METAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 392,799, dated November 13%, 1888.

Application filed December 14, 1837. Serial No. 257,862. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS. HARPER, of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in'Machincs for Bufing or Polishing Metallic Pieces; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, making a part of this specification, in Which- Figure 1 is a plan View of my improved polishing-machine, Fig. 2, a side elevation of the upper portion thereof; Fig. 3, a cross-sec` tion in line x .fr of Fig. 1 of the bedv upon which the pillar carrying the machine is mounted and adjusted; Fig. 4, a detached cross-section, upon an enlarged scale, in line 3/ y of Fig. 1, of one oi' the slide-bars carrying the clampingngers, and of the cam or worm for locking the same. Fig. 5 is a vertical section through the upper part of the machine in line z .e of Fig. 1, looking toward t-he mandrels,the mandrels and their connecting-arm being shown as in the 'act of reversal; and Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the machine, taken at a right angle with the arm carrying the mandrels and looking toward the polishing-wheel, said wheel not being shown, however, in said view.

Similar letters indicate like parts in all of the figures.

A, Figs. 1, 2, and 5, represents the polishing-wheel mounted in the customary manner upon the end of an arbor or spindle, A', :ro-

tating in fixed bearings apart from the machine carrying the mandrels or chucks upon which the Work is to be supported.

B, Figs. 1, 3, and 6, is a wide bar mounted to slide laterally at a right angle with the axis of the polishing-wheel A, below the same, upon a bed-plate, O, to which the bar is confined by means of a transverse dovetailed groove in the under side of the bar engaging a counterpart dovetailed offset, a, on the bed-plate. rIhe lateral movement of the bar B upon the bed-plate O is produced by means of a screw-shaft, D, mounted to rotate freely without longitudinal play in bearings formed centrally at each side ofthe bed-plate, and which is threaded throughout its length to work through a threaded aperture in the bar B.

E, Figs. 2, 3, and 6, is a pillar whose base b is formed with a dovetailed groove on its under side to engage a counterpart dovetailed longitudinal offset, @,on the bar B, upon which it is free to slide in a direction parallel with the axis of the polishing-wheel. Its movement upon the bar B is obtained by means 0I" a screw -shaft, F, mounted to rotate freely, without longitudinal play, in bearings formed centrally at each side of the bed-plate at a right angle with the shaft D, and which is threaded throughout its length to work through a threaded aperture formed in the base of the pillar E, and preferably through a central projection, d, on the under side of the base, as shown in Fig. 3.

Each of the adjusting screw-shafts D and F is provided with a crank, e, on its outer end to actuate it.

The upper end of the pillar E serves as a central bearing for a circular plate or disk, G, said disk being formed with a central stud, j', (see Fig. 2,) to fit into a central recess in the top of the pillar and serve as an axle with which the plate is free to revolve upon the pillar. To prevent the disk from being lifted off of the pillar, the stud f is encircled by a peripheral groove into which the end of a screw, g, entered in the side of the pillar projects. l

The periphery of the disk G is toothed, (see Figs. 2 and 6,) and is engaged by a worm, H, mounted in a bracket, H, affixed to the side of the pillar E and tted with a crank, I, whereby the disk may be revolved upon the pillar by turning said crank. Upon this revolving disk G is secured a plate, G', having a central standard, J, fixed thereon, carrying a transverse pillow-block, J, in which is fitted a rotating shaft, K, Fig. 1. At the end of the plate G nearest to the polishing-wheel A a pedestal, L, is fixed (see Fig. 2) to carry a bearing, L', in which a second rotating shaft, M, is fitted parallel with the shaft K, and at the other end a plate, N, is secured parallel with the shaft K, said plate having ears N N at each end thereof through which a bolt-rod, O, (see Figs. 1, 5, and 6,) is fitted parallel with the shaft K.

The end of the shaft K which is nearest the polishing-wheel A is made to project from its extended bearing J', and a. circular disk, P,

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v bar 6, as shown in Fig. 2.

upon a cross-arm, l), is iixed upon said shaft next to the bearing, as shown in Fig. 1. Transverse bearings Q Q (see Figs. 1 and 6) are formed upon the arm F at equal distances from the axial shaft K to receive short spindles or arbors mounted therein parallel with the shaft K. The inner end of each spindle is fitted with a pinion, R, and its outer end is provided with a socket adapted to receive and hold the shank of a detachable chuck or inandrel, S, upon which may be iittcd the article to be polished.

The bed-plate C lof the machine is so adjusted relatively to the polishing-wheel A as that when the arm l is in a horizontal position one or the other of the twin inandrels S S will be carried against the periphery ofthe wheel, as shown in Figs. 1., 2, and 5. By the rotation of the shaft K, either mandrel S or S may thus be brought against the wheel. The inner end of the spindle of each mandrel is supported against longitudinal thrust to resist the pressureof thepolishiiig-wheel against the outer end thereof by means ofa conical pivot-pin, h, iittcd inthe bent end ofthe arm l?, as shown in Figs. 1 and 6, to bear centrally against the end ol' the spindle, said pivot-pin being made to screw through the arm to admit of an adjustment thereof.

Aspur-wheel, T, (sce Figs. 1 and 6,)is fitted upon the inner end oi' the shalt M to gear with either of the pinions R when either mandrel S or S is broughtinto rcgisterwith the polishing-Wheel A., and a pulley, is fitted upon the outer end of said shaft to carry a cord or belt, fi, (see Figs. 2 and 6,) by which the shaft is geared to a driving-pulley overhead. When either mandrel is in register with the polish` ing-wheel, the revolving arm l) is held in position by means of the bolt O, which is autoinatieall y carried into engagement with an aperture, t, (see Fig. 5,) in the disk l by means of an encircling spiral spring, 7:. When it is desired to revolve the arm P, the bolt is withdrawn by means of a knob, Z, on its outer end.

The pieces to be polished are held upon and against the rotating mandrel in front of the polishing-wheel by means of lingers 2 2, projecting from collars 8 3, fitted upon the ends of adjustable finger-bars 4l 4. Each bar 4 is fitted to slide longitudinally through a head, 5, at the end of a cross-bar, 6, secured by means of a collar, 7, upon the outer end of the shaft K. The collar 7 permits of an adjustment of the arm 6 upon the shaft K, to which it is made fast by a set-screw, 8. The heads 5 5 are fitted upon opposite sides as well as ends of the crossrlhe finger-bars fl 4, sliding through the heads 5, are each formed with a rack, 9, upon one side thereof, and said rack is engaged by a worm, 1 5, pivoted between lugs 1l 11, projecting from the end of the arm (i, (see Figs. 1, 2, 4, and (5,) the worm being furnished with a radial arm or handle, 13, by which it may be turned upon its axis. A notch, 12, (see Fig. 4,) is cut in the periphery of the worm parallel with its axis, and when brought into register with the rack 9, as shown in Fig. 4, it allows a free movement of the iinger-bar independently of the worin, the rack remaining in position to be engaged by the worm Whenever it may be turned by a movement of the arm 13. The end of each finger 2 is fitted with a frictionroller, 1li, to permit of the ready rotation of the piece con l i ned by the finger u nder the same.

ln the operation of this machine the piece to bepolished is iitted upon that one Sof the two mandrcls which is at the time removed from the polishing-wheel, said mandrel being shaped to form a counterpart for the piece to be polished, so as to alford a suitable backing for thc same,and the piece is firmly held against or upon the mandrel by sliding its appropriate bar, ll, forward until the rollers 111 14 upon the end of the fingers 2 2 are carried against said piece. The free movement of the bar 4 to obtain this adjustment is permitted by turning the worm 1-5, which engages the rack 9 on said bar 4t, so that the notch 12 on the worm shall register with thebar and leave it free. NVhen the iingers 2 2 are adjusted in place against the piece to be polished, they are made to bear against it with more or less pressure, and are firmly secured by means of an engagement of the Worm 15 with the rack 9 on the linger-bar, produced by turning said worm 15 by means of its handle 13. The threads of the worm operate as cams to force the rackbar z1 and lingers 2 2 forward toward the mandrel until the desired pressure is obtained. Then the piece has been properly adjusted upon the outer or free mandrel, S, a half-turn is given to the shaft K, as illustrated in positivelines, Fig. 5,4and dotted lines, Figs. 2 and (i, whereby said outer mandrel,S, to which the piece to be polished has been secured, is brought face to face with the revolving polishing-wheel A, while the pinion It upon the arbor of said mandrel is brought into gear with the spur-wheel T upon the shaft M, which is made to revolve rapidly by means of the driving-pulley T, geared to a mai-n sh aft driven by the motor actuating the polishing-wheel A. The mandrel thus brought into proximity to the polishing-wheel and into gear with the spur-wheel T is thereby made to revolve in a plane at an angle to that in which the polishing-Wheel revolves. (See the mandrel S in Figs. 1 and 2.) The proper contact with the polishing-Wheel of the piece fitted upon the mandrel is readily obtained and regulated by an adjustment ofthe pillar E, which supports the mandrels, said adjustment being produced, first, toward the wheel by means of the screw F, and,secondly,laterally in either direction by means of the screw D, and its angle of inelinatiou to the wheel may also be adj usted by a rotation of the plate G, `produced by means of the worm H engaging the toothed periphery of the disk G. Vhen an adjustment has been madein reference to the piece of work upon one of the mandrels, it will answer for all similar pieces fitted upon either mandrel,

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and a new adjustment is required only as the buff or polishing wheel wears away or when the mandrels are changed. While'one piece is being polished upon the mandrel S, as shown in Figs. l and 2, another piece may be secured upon the twin mandrel S in readiness to be brought by a turn of the shaftK against the polishing-wheel in manner as described, so that the work may be performed as fast as the pieces to be polished can be detached and replaced7 the polishing of one piece being performed while the piece last polished is being removed and replaced by another.

l. In combination with a revolving polishing-wheel, the twin revolving mandrels, the central pivoted crossarm upon whose ends said mandrels are severally mounted to swing therewith alternately into contact with said wheel, and a device, substantially as described, for locking said arm, substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

2. The revolving polishing-wheel, the twin revolving mandrels, and the centrally-pivoted cross-arm upon whose ends said mandrels are severally mounted to swing therewith alternately into contact with said wheel, in combination with a driving spur-wheel adapted to gear, in manner as described, with each mandrel when it is brought into contact with the polishing-wheel, substantial] y in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

3. rlhe combination, with a revolving mans drel and with a shaft parallel with the axis of said mandrel, of au arm projecting radially from said shaft, a parallel bar fitted to slide longitudinally through the end of said arm to and from the mandrel, independent adjustable fingers mounted to swing upon the end of the bar into contact with the mandrel, and devices, substantially as described, for making fast the sliding bar and swinging fingers, all

substantiallyin the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

4. The combination, with the longitudinallysliding finger-bar and the slotted head through which it works, of a rack formed upon the bar and a notched or interrupted worm pivoted to the head to engage said rack, substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

5. The combination, with the twin revolving mandrels, the centrally-pivoted cross-arm upon whose ends the mandrels are journaled, and the rotating shaft serving as a pivot for the crossarm, of a second cross-arm mounted centrally upon said shaft and secured thereto, parallel longitudinally sliding bars mounted in the ends of said arm, adjustable fingers mounted upon the ends of said bars to contact with the mandrels, and devices, substantially as described, for making fast the fingers and bars, substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

6. The combination,in a polishing-machine, of the revolving polishing-wheel, the twin revolving mandrels, the centrally-pivoted crossarm upon whose ends said mandrels are sev erally mounted to swing therewith alternately into contact with said wheel, the driving spurwheel adapted to gear, substantially as described, with each mandrel when it is brought into contact with the polishing-wheel, the rotating shaft serving as a pivot for said crossarm, and the pivoted supporting-plateupon which the bearings for said shaft and for the spur-wheel are mounted, substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

7. The combination,in apolishing-machine, of the revolving polishingwheel, the twin revolving mandrels, the centrally-pivoted crossarm upon whose ends said mandrels are several] y 1nounted,the drivingspur-wheel adapted to gear, substantially as described, with each mandrel when it is brought into contact with the polishing-wheel, the rotating shaft serving as a pivot for said crossbar, the pivoted supporting-plate upon which the-bearings for said shaft and spur-wheel are mounted, a pillar upon which the supporting-plate is pivoted,a laterally-moving bar upon which said pillar is jointed with freedom to slide longitudinally thereon, a screw-shaft engaging said pillar to produce a movement thereof along the bar, a base-plate upon which the bar is mounted to slide at a right angle to the line of movement of the pillar, and a screw-shaft actuating said bar, all substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOS. HARPER.

Witnesses:

A. N. JnsBnRA, E. M. WArrsoN. 

